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Front website revamped The new version of our online edition launched Thursday and is now available to readers.
New attraction at SPARK Museum: On Oct. 13, the museum, located on Bay Street in downtown Bellingham, will unveil its new Electrical Extravaganza Show in a weekend-long event. Visitors wearing a mad scientist costume will be given free admission to the 6 p.m. electrical show. Fall Blood Drive coming to Western Oct. 16-18: The donation location will be at the Viking Union 565 and also at the Mini Mobile in Red Square near the Humanities building. There is no longer a oneyear wait period required after receiving a tattoo if it was acquired in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho or Montana. Whatcom County voters' pamphlet now available online: The audio version of the pamphlet will be available online Monday, Oct. 15. The pamphlet provides detailed information about state and local ballot measures, as well as other important details. AS Productions held a screening of Marvel's The Avengers on the Communications lawn on Tuesday night: The event yielded the highest turnout in the history of AS Productions.
Western grad student Zach Thammavongsy examines a reaction vessel containing a solution vital to the published reaction. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe.
CO2, PAGE 5
GRANT, PAGE 5
RANKINGS, PAGE 3
2 | News
Cops Box
Bellingham Police
Sept. 27
Bellingham Police arrested a man for urinating in public after he defecated in the 300 Block of W Champion Street.
Sept. 25
Bellingham Police contacted two WWU students, regarding a loud gathering they were hosting in the 500 Block of E Myrtle St. Upon seeing police arrival, 30-40 youths ran from the home. The youths cooperated and had the remainder of the party goers leave their home.
Western students (left to right) Brenna Gould (in blue), Danika Roberts, Austin Abendroth, Melissa Batten and Kayla Erickson perform in a Gangnam Style flashmob at the Red Square Info Fair, Tuesday. The popular music video Gangnam Style by South Korean artist PSY, holds the Guinness World Record for Most Liked Video on YouTube. (For more local Guinness World Records see our story on page 8) Photo by Laura Going.
Western Front
The
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News | 3
A student boards a WTA bus outside the Viking Union on campus. With the new route expansions, students will see more late-night access to the busses. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe.
The tax hike, which was approved by 58 percent of Bellingham voters in the Nov. 2010 General Election, increased the sales tax by 0.002 percent. The additional money funds Transportation Benefit District No.1. Jack Weiss, a City Councilmember said the priority for the Transportation Benefit District was to restore Sunday bus services, which was cut as a result of the recession. They had to do a lot of cuts, Weiss said. Some of it had to do with the evening hours, some of it had to do with Sunday service." The Sunday service, which was gone for almost a year, was partly restored due to Transportation Benefit District funding. This year, however, the Transportation Benefit District found leftover funds that would allow them to further pursue the expansion of WTA services. The funds left them $425,000 of additional funding.
RANKINGS: U.S. News names Western best masters-granting university in the Pacific Northwest
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
stretching from Texas to the Pacific. Rankings by U.S. News are separated into categories for national (doctoral-granting) universities and liberal arts colleges. Rankings are based on a variety of criteria including academic reputation, student selectivity and retention, faculty resources, peer assessment and financial resources. According to Forbes Magazine annual list of Americas 650 Top Colleges Western has an overall ranking of 353, behind the University of Washington (87) but before Washington State University (464). Paul Cocke, Director of the Office of University Communications, said in an email students should be proud that Western is ranked so highly by a national publication. Rankings are indicators of excellence but the true measure of Westerns success is with the success and achievements of its students and alumni, Cocke said in an email. Part of a survey completed by the Career Services Center on Westerns campus gathered information from 2010 bachelors and masters degree recipients about employment after graduation. Data was collected from 45 percent of the 3,045 students who received bachelors degrees and 61 percent of the 320 students who completed masters degrees. Bachelors degree recipients reported 75 percent
employment. Those who received a masters degree reported having 82 percent employment. While we are pleased to be recognized by this and other national rankings, the true measure of Westerns excellence is the quality of our programs and, consequently, the caliber of our graduates who are highly sought after by employers and who become leaders in their fields and communities, Western's President Bruce Shepard said in a press release. Our students realize their aspirations because of our dedicated, gifted and inspiring faculty and staff. You actually get to know your professors, said Annie Marchion, a sophomore majoring in Elementary Education. Some of the reasons students enjoy being at Western include the excellent academics, a caring campus culture where people watch out for each other and talented, inspiring faculty who often include students in research projects more commonly
found at doctoral programs at other universities, Cocke said. Lots of people underrank Western, Irena Lam, a sophomore at Western studying business said, Ive liked all of my professors and some of my friends who are at [the University of Washington] havent. According to U.S. News, as many as 1 in 3 first-year students dont make it back for sophomore year in the U.S. Western has an average retention rate of 84 percent. Lots of people overlook Western, Marchion said. Western is ranked highly in part because of a collaborative campus community where students can achieve aspirations while developing interests and talents Cocke said. The small-campus feel and diversity of majors brings lots of kids here, said Alicia Lathrop, a senior majoring in design production said. People come here to experience a non-traditional college. We have a great school, Lathrop said. Thats what sets us apart.
4 | News
Assistant Professor Ken Rines displays galaxies Thursday in Westerns planetarium. Rines teaches astronomy and physics. Photo by Rachel Howland
News | 5
CO2: Student's new method uses iron in place of more expensive metals
research is still far from complete. I will likely be gone before this project reaches its full potential, he said. However, knowing my project will continue on, possibly in the hands of undergraduate Western students is encouraging. Thammavongsy wants to inform undergraduate students about opportunities for research within the chemistry department. We are doing basic science and not currently investigating the scaling up or commercialization of the technology, Gilbertson said. There are still other scientific hurdles the team has to overcome, such as what to do with the other oxygen atom from carbon dioxide once it has been removed to make carbon monoxide, he said. Research is still in progress, Thammavongsy said. However, I can say the impact our discovery can have on our world would be truly priceless in the preservation of our environment.
From left to right, Western seniors Andy Breuhaus and Darren Veit stand next to grad student Zach Thammavongsy and John Gilbertson in one of the chemistry labs on campus. This team, among others, recently published their work in a science journal.detailing a complex reaction that converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe.
and
Carbon monoxide is a very useful fuel, he said. It can be reformed into diesel fuel. So our process has the
potential to replace coal as a feedstock and utilized CO2 instead to make [carbon monoxide], Gilbertson said.
Even with the recent publication in Inorganic Chemistry, Thammavongsy said their
with a cruising speed of 18 to 22 knots, said Manager of Academic Support Services Gene McKeen. Were going to try to get the biggest boat we can, based on what we need to put on it, McKeen said. Its a rough framework, but well know more once we sit down with our team this fall and talk to boat builders. The SPMC is located in Anacortes, Wash., and is comprised of a 78-acre campus, as well as waterfront property on Mosquito Pass on San Juan Island. The center currently owns a 19-foot, 26-foot and 32-foot boat. The academic fleet is housed in nearby Skyline Marina, about one mile from the SMPC campus, said Sulkin. The NSF has a long history of supporting the SPMC. NSF funding has kept the SPMC afloat for 25 consecutive years, most recently providing $400,000 in 2011 to continue the program for another five years. The three other vessels already owned by the marine center were bought with grant money from the NSF dating back to 1995. The SPMC was awarded a $170,000 research grant in 2008, according to a Western press release. They fund most of the research activity and the work with our undergrads, Sulkin said. We have to have ongoing research and a significant proportion of that is
We're going to try to get the biggest boat we can, based on what we need to put on it.
Gene McKeen, manager of academic support services
The Marine Science Scholars program offers a specialization in marine biology for Westerns biology and environmental science majors. Marine science scholars receive free food and housing, provided by the SPMC, as well as reduced tuition rates for non-resident students. The SPMC also offers the Multicultural Initiative in the Marine Sciences, offered in winter and spring quarters, and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, offered during summer quarter. Students enrolled in these programs receive a $4,500 stipend, as well as housing and a travel allowance. These expenditures are also paid for by the NSF.
funded by the NSF. The SPMC has several instructional and scientific programs available for students both at Western and nationwide, in addition to educational opportunities for K12 students as provided by public education initiatives, according to the SPMC website.
6 | News
Kara Roberts, of Durham, N.C., signs a banner for On the Road to Remember, an advocacy campaign that brings awareness about missing persons across the country. Roberts sister Leah disappeared from the Bellingham area in 2000 during a cross-country road trip. Photo by Laura Going
Getting that story back out and making sure we try and reach that one person who may still know something [is important], CUE Founder Monica Caison said. She said there is never any closure for families of missing persons, but if the community works together a resolution may be found for that family. The center works with law enforcement and families to find answers for the people who are missing, but needs the community to help raise awareness the missing can be found. Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo believes the story of Robertss disappearance in the community, raised awareness on how vulnerable everyone is. The Whatcom County Sheriffs Department, CUE and Kara encourage people to call if they know any information about Roberts Its a cold case, but not a forgotten case, Kara said.
Kara Roberts, left, speaks with Bellingham Sherriff Bill Elfo at the On the Road to Remember gathering outside the Sherriffs Office, Monday. We are working to give the family some peace and help them get some closure, Elfo said. Photo by Laura Going
News | 7
identification, according to research conducted at the Brennan Center for Justice. Despite these statistics, in the last two years, 11 states have passed new voter ID laws to strengthen existing policies and restrict voting. In 2012, more than 30 states have considered following suit, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. I think the first effect of
Freshmen Hannah Johnson, Tamir Amitai and senior Christopher Smith update their voting registration Wednesday, outside of Wilson Library at the Western Votes table. Western Votes is an organization on campus to ensure students are registered and knowledgeable about voting. Photo by Rachel Howland
according to Simpsons 70page order. States such as Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin all passed new voter ID laws in their 2011 or 2012 legislative sessions, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. As of 2012, Tennessee no longer considered student IDs an acceptable forms of identification, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Unlike students in Tennessee, Western students, along with all eligible voters across the state, do not need to visit the polls to vote. In Washingtons Voteby-Mail system, each voter signs an oath attesting to their identity upon sending in his or her ballot, according to Washingtons Secretary of State Sam Reed. The signature is then examined against the signature in the voters registration file, further authenticating the voters identity. I dont think the bill itself will increase political
involvement in younger people here, even if it would make it easier for people in some places, Patrick Stickney, Vice President for Governmental Affairs at Western said. Political involvement is more than voting. Regarding the current political involvement of Western students, numbers are on the rise, according to Cait Huntsman, the Associated Students Voter Education and Registration Coordinator. At Western there is a good awareness in general, Huntsman said. At this moment I have 1,862 registrations that have been updated and are new, which is a huge increase, because last year we only got about 900. Huntsman said there has been a great effort by the AS to include people in conversations, and also how student participation is increasing. Students are beginning to become more interested and more proactive in seeking voting information, Huntsman said.
8|
Featu
By Olivia Henry From its origins as a slim volume of pub trivia to a contemporary global media franchise, the Guinness World Records is an international distinction with more than a few local titleholders. The newest member of this superlative society is Bellingham showman Justin Therrien, who on Sunday, Sept. 23 received his official Guinness World Records certificate in the post. He now holds the record for the longest string pulled through the nose and mouth in one minute. The certificates plain, blue-and-black motif gives little hint to the more fantastic nature of its recipients. Therrien is in the company of other area record-breakers including worlds longest seesaw marathoners, a Blaine man who inflates balloons with his nose and a pastor who organized the worlds largest hayride.
OCAL L
of bygone travelling fairs and gruesome circus spectacle. His classic feats of body horror include eating glass light bulbs, swallowing swords and laying on a bed of nails. Before his world record attempt, Therrien even considered drenching the spaghetti-like tube in pasta sauce before dragging it through his sinuses. With his Guinness title secured, Therrien wonders if his future exploits can top the record. A stream of rehearsals for his solo act, group work with the Bellingham Circus Guild and stint with Seattles quirky cabaret Teatro ZinZanni will carry him through the fall. In the meantime, Therriens daily to-do list puts him at no risk of getting bored. Im going to get cinder blocks broken on top of me, Therrien said. Theres juggle club tonight, and then I fix my truck.
John Walton
Justin Therrien
Therrien is a 28-year-old sideshow performer whose signature bowler hat, septum ring and hair-raising stage antics made him a fixture in the local circus scene. By passing 255 feet, 2 inches of plastic tubing through his nose and out his mouth a sensation he likens to the feeling of having a frog in your throat the redheaded Californian well surpassed the previous record of 59 feet. You grow up hearing, Theres always going to be someone better than you, Therrien said. But now I have a certificate that says there isnt. Therriens vaudeville theatre act is both whimsical and bizarre, reminiscent
HOL D ERS
Bellingham magician and beverage distributor John Walton did not need illusion to pull off his Guinness distinction. Walton practiced for three years to master the faro card shuffle, a difficult move that involves splitting the deck in half with 26 cards stacked in each hand, then interlacing each card from opposing decks like a zipper to achieve a perfect shuffle. Professional cardsharps use this weaving technique and some accompanying mathematics to stage seemingly telepathic tricks without sleight of hand. Walton said most magicians dont even attempt the precise maneuver because of the amount of practice involved. [The faro shuffle] is considered the Holy Grail of card shuffling, Walton said. In August 2009, the local trickster set his skills against the previous Guinness World Record of approximately 1,200 shuffles in 12 hours. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., crowds gathered at the Magic Castle in North Hollywood, Calif. to
Western student Justin Therrein demonstrates his world-record-holding string pulling act. Therrein shattered the previous length of tube pulled through the nose and out the mouth record of 60 feet with a string 255.22 feet recorded. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe.
ures
|9
In a 1971 episode of The Brady Bunch, Bobby and Cindy Brady attempt a world record for longest time teeter tottering. The children spend much of the episode bobbing on the Bradys AstroTurf, but succumb to sleep before the finish line. The episode made a lasting impression on former Western assistant track and field coach Brandi Petz, who realized the Brady babes unfulfilled dream when she teetered her way to a Guinness at the 2003 Puyallup Fair. Petz along with Western alumna Natalie Svenvold, hold the title for longest seesaw marathon. The two women overtook Guinness required 24-hour benchmark and ultimately clocked 75 hours and 10 minutes. Their record still stands. Nine years later, Petz remembers her feat of playground endurance fondly, but said the record is only a reluctant conversation piece. Once every few years, you have to tell someone something interesting about yourself. The person next to me will bring it up, Petz said. Id rather say I have four kids.
World-record hopefuls Brandi Petz and Natalie Svenvold find a comfier position on the teeter totter during their attempt at the longest time spent on the toy. The pair went on to defeat the previous record with a time of 75 hours. Photo courtesy of Brandi Petz.
Fair administrators had tasked Taylor months earlier with breaking a mass participation record. Taylor selected the event because it communicated the regions agricultural spirit, but also chose the fairground favorite for its relative simplicity. Everyone can sit on a bale of hay and ride in a circle for a minute, Taylor said. Lets do that. Of the thousand people who gathered for Taylors gargantuan hayride, only 649 could squeeze onto the trailers, a bottomto-bale ratio that more than doubled the previous record of 249 riders. An official Guinness adjudicator flew in to judge the event the price tag for Taylor put at about $10,000 declared the Western student Justin Therrein shows off his official Guinness Book of World Records certificate. attempt a success. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe. Taylor said he considered beating another record at this years fair, but for now is content to rest on his claim-to-fame. He has since fielded several calls from Guinness hopefuls seeking advice about their own group record attempts. Apart from their shared world records, many of the local Guinness contingent expressed a common love of place. While Taylors event was a testament to local character, sideshow performer Therrien hoped to draw attention to area artists with his record. Though their passions run hot and their talents shine, the worlds best in feats of length, strength and speed chose to live in a city whose weather is wet and its excitement subdued.
Andrew Dahl
Andrew Dahl started his first quarter at the University of Washington, but the Blaine-bred collegian is still happy to be known for the exploits of his teen years. My friends here [at University of Washington] have introduced me by telling about my record, Dahl admits. It is kind of fun to talk about. Dahl first developed his odd ability at the age of six or seven to cope with backseat boredom. Years later, a shaggy-haired, 14-year-old Dahl piqued national interest in 2008 when he broke a record with his remarkable if bizarre talent: the youngster puffed his way to fame by blowing up 213 balloons with his nose within one hour on the floor of the Blaine Public Library. He broke his own record five months later on the Live! with Regis and Kelly show, inflating 308 balloons with his left nostril. In 2010, Dahl appeared on an Italian television program to earn his second Guinness World Record. This time, he nabbed the title for most nasally inflated balloons in 3 minutes 23 in total. Dahl said he wants to beat his existing records in the future, but is taking a break given the extensive verification process required by the Guinness World Records. He is considering expanding into other Guinness categories, however. I was thinking of doing the bobbing for apples [record], he said.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Think of an awesome record to break or create Send a proposal to Guinness World Records about the world record being attempted Guinness will approve or reject the proposal in four to six weeks Once approved, a package with evidence of the record is sent to Guinness Six to eight weeks later a notification from Guinness will arrive approving or denying the record If the record is successful, Guinness will send a certificate in recognition of the recordbreaking or creating achievement Brag to friends and family
Sean Taylor
On a clear morning in August 2011, two tons of hay, 10 semi truck trailers and one snow plow waited to take Northwest Washington fairgoers into Guinness World Records history. Organizer Sean Taylor, the youth pastor at Lyndens North County Christ the King Church, attempted to stage the worlds largest hayride.
10 | Features
By Ashley Hogrebe Teddy bears in red wagons zip down dusty roads, a 26-foot-tall metal octopus breathes fire from tentacles and tens of thousands of people gather to watch a wooden structure of a man engulfed in flames. This isnt some desert mirage; this is Burning Man.
Alumna Elizabeth Bigwood walks past an art installation at Burning Man in September in Black Rock Desert, Nev. Bigwood says each piece of art was designed and built by a team from a different U.S. city. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Bigwood
An aerial view of Black Rock City, Nev. looks like a piece of art. For one week every summer, the two-mile-wide city appears on a prehistoric lake bed. Photo courtesy of Google Earth Every year, the week before Labor Day, Black Rock Desert, 120 miles north of Reno, Nev., is transformed into an eight-day popup society called Black Rock City. The city is created by Department of Public Works volunteers weeks before participants arrive and is dismantled after; leaving no evidence the bustling community ever existed, said Elizabeth Bigwood, Western
with no expectation of return, said Tate Petersen, Western junior and first-time "burner." This community teaches all who experience it the beautiful art of sharing. Burning Man is an event of extremes. Daytime temperatures can be more than 100 F and reach below freezing at night, according to Burning Man FAQ. But the harsh weather does not deter attendees from making the most of Black Rock City. Theme camps, created by participants, are scattered throughout the desert. They are dedicated to everything from passing out pancakes to providing dance music
to accompany the sunrise. When the sun sets, solar power, batteries and generators are used to light up the night. Black Rock City is brighter and crazier than Vegas, Bigwood said. The city is a virtual playground. First time participants are encouraged to do their research before attending, but veteran "burners" say nothing can truly prepare you for your first Burning Man experience, Bigwood said. My advice to a first-time burner would be to have no expectations, Petersen said. Bring enough to share and not to worry about a thing. Youre home.
Features | 11
By Alexander Bevier Classes for most of Westerns student body began this week, but some students began last week. Viking Launch is a program that allows freshmen living in Fairhaven complex to move to Western a week early, acclimate to college culture and take classes to earn two credits before the quarter starts. Freshman John Hathaway discovered the program online. He found it was a great way to begin his college career. It felt like you were easing into college as opposed to showing up and getting started right then, he said. It was really helpful because you get this close group of people youre living with and get to know them really well before the actual pressure is here. Viking Launch is an optional program, costing $800 per student. Hathaway said it was worth the money, and he feels bad for students who arrived this week because hes already familiar with the area. Steven VanderStaay, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, is the director of academic first-year programs and the creator of Viking Launch, which began in 2010. He said the purpose of the program is for incoming students to have small class experiences. The seminars are designed for students to experience the themes and general concepts that are explored in a variety of different majors, Marlene Harlan, director of extended education and summer programs, said. Ten seminars were available and designed to have approximately fifteen students each. We have a lot of nonresident students who will come to Western to be marine biologists, but they cant take a marine biology course until their junior year, VanderStaay said. With Viking Launch, the idea was to launch students toward an academic major with an intense field-based seminar. Western freshman Allison Anders spoke highly of her experience with Viking Launch. The education class she took during the program
Western freshman Alexa Jones harvests carrots at the Bellingham Food Bank Farm as part of Viking Launch. Western offers the early enrollment program to incoming freshmen to provide a head start for their first year. Photo courtesy of April McMurry had her working with children at Larrabee Elementary and she said she has professors who are already happy to help her get internships. It was a good way to figure out Am I for teaching? Anders said. Western freshman Samuel Ferrara took a class on technical and creative writing, which included a
tutorial on using Adobe InDesign. The biggest benefit I got out of it was going forward knowing that your writing is up to college standard, he said. It gives you a lot more confidence with anything you have to write. Some sessions during Viking Launch help students meet other students. A popular session during the week was the introduction of Westerns planetarium. Harlan said the students ended the week by participating in a service-learning program. We work with the Center for Service-Learning and they provide the venues for students to choose from, she said. In the past, venues have included Habitat for Humanity and the Harlan Society. The idea for Viking Launch was inspired by a program at the University of Washington where freshmen can start taking classes a month early to receive credit in their desired major. Since Western uses the quarter system and other schools are already in session, VanderStaay said he found Viking Launch gives Western freshmen a chance to start earlier, too. The option to participate in Viking Launch is exclusive to Fairhaven residents. VanderStaay said this is because its the only residence hall available for living the week before general move in. They shut down the steam plant, so for part of the week theres no heat to campus, he said. Theres only heat to Fairhaven. Fairhaven has one of a highest returning rates of students living in the residence halls after their freshman year, he said. VanderStaay said Viking Launch hosted fewer students this year, attributing this to the campus failure to get advertisements out on time. In student evaluations taken this year, all but one student would recommend Viking Launch to other students, he said. At the end of the program a student told VanderStaay, "Im not as nervous [about college] because I know a professor, I know what the work is like, I already have friends, I know where to find things and Im ready for class."
12 | Opinion
Opinions of the Editorial Board
Frontline
guest column
Says public nudity acceptable
This is a revised version of an article previously printed in spring 2012. Why is there no great body of radical literature dedicated to the question of clothing? Love or hate seeing or being someone naked, the single fact remains: it is illegal to be the way we all were born (in public). Something is fundamentally backwards about natural ever being illegal. I wasnt born in cargo pants and a sweatshirt. It is common sense that it is not acceptable to discriminate against people who are born with colored skin, disabled mind or body, differing creed, orientation or some hated combination of those but nearly no one bats an eyelash about a law discriminating against the way every one of us were born. You likely dont care either (yet); but I ask you to feel the cold kiss of freedom on your seldom-kissed regions and come back to me and tell me you dont want more. I am not promoting orgies or even promiscuous sex. The naked body, relaxed and flaccid, should be allowed to simply for lack of a less funny phrase, hang out. Why is it so unquestionably illegal to be the way I was born? Everyone should be able to be as naked as the day they were born. If no one had clothes to hide behind, would we all hide a lot less from each other? If you or a friend are interested in trying out clothing-optional recreation, consider joining Westerns very own Students of Optional Clothing club! The club provides a safe, comfortable and non-sexual environment for students to get together, wearing as much or as little clothing as they feel comfortable, share food and talk. Well be meeting a few blocks from campus for weekly potlucks and also plan on going on several outings to the local nude beach and a weekend trip to the hot springs. "Like" WWU Students of Optional Clothing on Facebook or join our email list by emailing: wwusoc@gmail.com. We wont spam you to death! D. Chasse Gunter, Western senior
Monday night's NFL final call should not be blamed on replacement refs
Managing Editor James Kozanitis was not involved in the editing of this piece. The ending to Monday nights football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks has stirred up a public controversy within the sports world. Eight seconds left, final play of the game, Seahawks behind by five. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw the football toward Golden Tate. The question is did M.D. Jennings intercept the pass? Or did Tate catch it to score a touchdown? The final call, made by replacement refs, was in favor of the Seahawks 14-12. The official referees returned Thursday night. Although the call was finalized, in the public realm the debate continues. The controversy has divided our newsroom, creating a constant argument between managing editor James Kozanitis and sports editor Alex Bigelow. Kozanitis believes the touchdown was deserved, Bigelow does not. We put five minutes on the clock and asked each to present his case. It was just wrong, he clearly had two hands on the football, Bigelow said. The rule says for it to be simultaneous possession that both players have to catch the ball at the same time. M.D. Jennings caught the ball! He was loving up on that football! Im not denying that. Kozanitis said. It was in the air, he had two hands on the football. Its not ruled possession or a catch until the catchers feet have hit the ground." While the debate continued, both agreed the only reason this particular game received so much attention was because the call was made by a replacement ref. Generally, the blame is placed on the replacement refs. Had the regular refs made the call, there would probably be less public discontent. A similar play occurred September 11, 2011 during a game between the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys. Although this was not the final play of the game, official refs made the call and there was almost no controversy as a result. In the world of professional sports, it is unusual to question a refs call with as much vigor. This editorial board believes had official refs made the call instead of replacement refs the fall-out would not have been as significant. It is unfair to place blame solely on replacement refs, when any referee, official or not, could have made a similar call. This call could inevitably cause the Packers to miss the playoffs. Listen to the full debate online @ westernfrontonline.net The editorial board is comprised of Editor-in-Chief Sarah Aitchison, Managing Editor James Kozanitis and Opinion Editor Joella Ortega.
Viking Voices
Advanced vehicle design, you basically get to design a car. Vehicle Design Junior
Keith Jones
Minerology, I get to study rocks on a level I've never studied before... a really small level.
David Brown
Geology Junior
Front Funnies
submissions
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The Western Front publishes submitted opinion items on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit for length, spelling, style and grammar. Submit letters to the editor, rants and raves, Hey Yous and guest columns, along with your name and title (such as Western sophomore) to westernfront.opinion@gmail.com. Anonymous letters or those containing hate speech will not be published. Word count limits Rants and raves, Hey Yous: 50 words; Letters to the editor: 250 words; Guest columns: 400 words
Sports | 13
Key Numbers
Save percentage of senior goalie Tyler Zetting last season
.932 75 17
play for Western. He was probably one of the best players Westerns ever seen, Bulger said of his older brother Jeff. Also lost is top defensemen Kellen Charpentier, who Bulger said was a rock on defense. Even after losing Charpentier, Dougan said defense will be a strong point for Western with goalie Tyler Zetting returning. Zetting, a senior at Western, carried a .932 save percentage during the 2011-12 season. Zetting said hes had the privilege of playing behind some of the best defensemen he has ever seen.
Good stats for goalies always start with really good defense, Zetting said. [Coach Dougan] does a really good job of putting defense first. Dougan said Zetting is one of the top goalies in the league and will be a key returner for the team. This will be Bulgers fifth and final year playing for Western. He said he hopes to take a year off and do some recruiting for the team and possibly even return as a coach. Ive always been more of a coach than a player, Bulger said. I dont want to think about it, but Ill miss the game and Ill miss the boys and I want to give her one
more go here. Western is in its second year as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey. Dougan said the goal is to get to the national championships regardless of the uncertainty surrounding player turnover from year to year. Dougan is in his fifth year as head coach and said the goal for the program is continued growth. When Dougan started, the team had nine players. Now it is up to 23. The goal is to build a solid program where you arent worrying if you have enough players to play the next year, he said.
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Freshman Leonard Kusina plays hard at Thursday's game at Whatcom Community College. Western won the game 4-1. Photo by Rachel Howland
14 | Sports
Womens Soccer
Montana State Billings Western Washington Seattle Pacific Central Washington Saint Martins North Nazarene Western Oregon Simon Fraser 5-0-0 4-1-0 2-1-2 2-2-1 3-2-0 1-4-0 1-3-1 0-5-0 9-0-0 7-2-0 5-2-2 3-4-2 5-4-0 4-5-0 3-5-1 1-7-0
Womens Volleyball
Western Oregon Western Washington Alaska Anchorage Central Washington Montana State Billings North Nazarene Saint Martins Seattle Pacific Alaska Fairbanks Simon Fraser 3-0 4-1 3-1 4-1 3-1 2-3 1-2 1-3 0-4 0-5 10-2 11-2 8-4 9-4 6-6 8-6 3-5 4-9 2-8 2-9
Sports | 15
Western junior Katie Stauffer blocks the ball from going out-ofbounds Thursday at Whatcom Community College. The women won 4-0. Photo by Rachel Howland
Western is currently ranked second in the GNAC standings. The game is at Orca Field at Whatcom Community College, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. We have to protect the ball, we have to make sure we dont give the ball away in bad spots on the field, we have to keep the energy that weve had the past two games and we have to execute in the final third, Connell said. If we do those three things, well have a lot of success.